Republicans: "Democrat Party" No More

WASHINGTON — Republicans have come up with another name for the opposing party _ the right name.

For years now, the GOP has gone after "Democrat schemes," "Democrat presidents," "Democrat Congresses" _ all phrases from the 1996 Republican platform, repeated many times since. Twenty years earlier, Bob Dole famously declared that all wars of the 20th century were "Democrat wars."

On Tuesday, members of the Republican platform committee meeting in Minneapolis voted down a proposal to call the opposition the "Democrat Party" in the 2008 platform. Instead, they'll go with the proper Democratic Party.

"We probably should use what the actual name is," said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the panel's chairman. "At least in writing."

In 1996, references to the Democratic Party were purged from a draft of the platform. As party leaders explained at the time, they wanted to make the subtle point that the Democratic Party had become elitist, no longer small-d democratic.

In the debate Tuesday, Jim Bopp of Indiana echoed that sentiment but said fair's fair.

"We should afford them the respect that they are entitled and call them by their legal name."

(This version CORRECTS SUBS 5th graf to correct to 1996.)

Comments

[billkarwin]

I'm so tired of hyperbole and name-calling from BOTH parties. Why can't we disagree on issues -- without resorting to childish ad hominem attacks meant to discredit the people, instead of their positions?

I'm a Democrat, liberal, progressive, whatever you want to call me. I disagree with many Republican policies. But it's the policies I dislike -- there's no need to impugn anyone's patriotism, or their looks, or their family, or their personal life, or their hygiene.

I might even enjoy having dinner with certain Republican leaders. I think John McCain and Bob Dole can be wry and witty. I'm sure they're very personable. I just don't want them spending my tax money!

[livesimply]

I disagree that it is from both sides. Sure, maybe here on HuffPo, but not by the candidates. In the MSM, the republicans constantly use personal attacks, while the democrats cite issues.

[marylandtravelinman]

That is the argument the right uses to discount their corruption. See, it doesn't matter because everyone is corrupt. A lesson we learned at five: someone else’s bad deeds do not admonish ours.

Get the masses to not trust Government then we can be as corrupt or inept as we want. "See, we told you."

[Knowitall]

If you think the Democrats have been giving as good as they get over the years, you haven't been paying attention. Remember the defaming of Bill Clinton (even prior to Lewinsky), Max Clellan, John Kerry, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Dukakis and now Obama and Michelle. Biden is next.........The Democrats--at least at the national level--have never printed books and ads that are made up totally of lies, pulled out of the air--total fabrications--LIES. We Americans need to pay more attention and vote for people who are trying to build up the country, and not tear down its leaders.

[Chubbster]

I'll never get used to the really bad smell.

[ManWithLantern]

Lets stop giving the repubrats so much free air-time and print space with their nonsense ads and 'agreements'!
They are the party of trailer dwellers and home-skeweled so let them dumb down their message to their base.
Remember, when the fascists come, they will be draped in the flag and carrying a cross.
Recognize them early and do everything you can to simply laugh at them! They are very vulnerable to public ridicule!
Too easy!

[Hillrick]

As they shrink to the minority they suddenly start to act a little grownup?

[SheriChardonnay]

whatever! on the "average american" believes that lie! they r just scared now....and they dont want the rest of the week to be bashing them...DONT TAKE THE BAIT!

[MajorKong]

The fact that we're even having this conversation proves that our country is truly being run by a bunch of 5th graders.

[Podewumun]

LOL! So true.

[dnegri]

Screw the Republican party....I've come to detest each and every damn one of them. And I've also
found that the way you can tell when a Repubican is lying, is when they say "Democrat party"...even
Bush has done it. So, who gives a damn what those punks, liars and fascists think. I'm a member of the Democratic party and a proud Liberal too. So, go screw yourselves, repubs...

[Paisano]

Keep saying it... We'll just take the senate, the house, and most importantly...The Supreme Court!!!!!!!!!!!!

[livesimply]

Amen and woooo-hoooo!

[youknowwhat]

Even if they are telling the truth about this, they'll be thinking of some other juvenile scheme to put into play.
After eight years of watching this party act like a bunch of criminals, I believe little or nothing that they say.

[lennix]

now this is nuts and we put these people in charge all these years we the american people now see what frea will do to people they make us put stupid people in office and now we are scared of them we got what we deserve and if we do it again we will get it again

[JiminNC]

How white of them ...

[Podewumun]

Yawn. Wake me if they promise to stop lying.

[MGhamma]

WHO CARES? BFD!!

[BigLib]

The Rat party is pretty thinned skin, huh?

[Donnat]

Actually, I had no idea they were doing it, and even now, I don't care.

[livesimply]

Ah, yes. Good name for the republic party, but way too childish.

[livesimply]

That would be " thin skinned," and yes you are.

[TrevorAlan]

Yeah, what WAS it with the "Democrat" thing. It started to drive me up a wall until I realized that was probably the point of the childish excercise.